Szulczewski Records Triple-Double in Sweep

CORVALLIS – Izzi Szulczewski recorded Oregon State's first triple-double in five years in a 3-0 (25-18, 25-22, 25-21) sweep of Portland.
 
The sophomore from Beaverton, Ore. needed just three sets to record 22 digs, 12 assists and 11 kills. The last Beaver to get a triple-double was Kylee McLaughlin, also against Portland on September 2, 2017.
 
As a team, Oregon State hit .336 with just 10 attack errors. Every hitter more than five swings hit better than .250 with three reaching double-digit kills.
 
"I thought we were much more clinical tonight. Our entire lineup had positive numbers and I am really proud of our ability to bounce back after a tough night," head coach Mark Barnard said.
 
The Beavs dominated the match from the get-go, making two 5-0 runs to take the first set. DiLara Unal keyed the second run, which put the set away, with her serving and some key defensive plays in the back row. Kateryna Tkachenko was a perfect 6-for-6 on her swings in the set en route to a 12-kill day where she hit .458.
 
The second set was a bit more touch-and-go for Oregon State as it held a lead for much of the set but never had more than a three-point advantage. Portland pulled within one at 22-21, but the Beavers responded by taking three of the next four points out of a timeout to earn the win. Szulczewski had two kills in the final four points, putting her just a kill and five assists away from the triple-double heading into the third.
 
The sophomore wasted no time picking up kill number 10, scoring Oregon State's first point of the set. She then took the reigns as the setter, guiding OSU on a 5-0 run to put the Beavs up 10-6 while also gathering four more assists. Szulczewski locked up the triple-double on Nursena Ballioglu's kill, which also put Oregon State up 20-13. The Beavs then coasted to their second sweep of 2022.
 
Szulczewski and Mychael Vernon earned Asics Invitational All-Tournament Team recognition for their performance on the weekend. Vernon had 11 kills and hit .258 against the Pilots. She reached double-digit kills in all three matches over the weekend and hit at least .250 twice.
 
Up Next
Oregon State returns to Gill on Saturday night to close out the Asics Invitational against Portland. First serve is set for 7 p.m.
 
Asics Invitational All-Tournament Team
 
OH - Tatum Stall (Utah State)
OH - Sophia Meyers (Portland State)
OH - Jayde Harris (Portland)
OH - Mychael Vernon (Oregon State)
MB - Kennedi Boyd (Utah State)
S - Izzi Szulczewski (Oregon State)
L - Aleeyah Galdeira (North Texas)
MVP: OH - Shelby Capllonch (Utah State)
 
 
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